Katie was happy to travel down with her mum and Alan for the show, but says she did not need any PR advice for the trip.

She also appeared on BBC ’s ‘ Songs of Praise ’ after being approached by the show - with a bill from Ms Barber for that.

Vanessa and Katie, of Greenside, Tyne and Wear, say Ms Barber has already received a fee of £1500 for her work.

“Claire said she was going to ‘monetise’ the charity at the same time as taking her daily fee,” added Vanessa.

“I feel so frustrated and angry. We are so proud of Katie. I believe this bill should be paid on a point of principle.

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“Claire offered to settle for £5k if Katie signed a gagging order and agreed not to speak about this.

“Alan did not want to get involved which I can understand. It is terrible to see Katie going through hell.

“All she has done is to try and help others, and so many others gave time and services free for the charity.”

Alan, 68, moved out of his home in Gateshead after the mugging, moved briefly to Scotland, but has now returned to Tyneside.

Katie's mum Vanessa says she feels 'frustrated and angry' as her daughter is 'going through hell' (Image: Andy Commins/Daily Mirror)

Katie, who grew up in the area with her mum, dad Alec, 44, and brother Michael, 19, helped others through her foundation, but has given up fundraising as she is so stressed about the court case.

Drug addict Richard Gatiss, 26, of Gateshead, was jailed for four years after admitting assaulting Alan in January, 2015.

Ms Barber was appointed to handle Katie’s PR in early 2015.

She said: “After several months’ intense work and blanket bespoke coverage across all media including the national newspapers, ITN and ITV This Morning and multiple TV interviews, Katie has made one payment but still hasn’t settled her bill over a year later, despite repeatedly being offered payment plans.

“At Katie’s request Claire Barber PR negotiated a personal fee for Katie of £1,000 to appear on the ITV This Morning. Once Katie started to put negative statements across social media it was decided to take it to the local claims court.

“Katie ignored this as she has with every other request for payment over the past year. As a small PR Consultancy this is not a debt we are able to carry”.